Satun’s history dates back to the early Rattanakosin period when it was a sub-district within the Malay state of Kedah (known as Saiburi in Thai records). Before the Ayutthaya period, there are no known records of Satun as a distinct city, suggesting it consisted of small coastal villages. When Kedah became part of the Siamese tributary system under King Rama II, Satun was mentioned for the first time as a small administrative area governed by Kedah's rulers. The region came under the control of Nakhon Si Thammarat and remained so until Kedah's prince, Phra Aphai Nurat, was appointed as governor in the early 19th century, further strengthening ties to Nakhon Si Thammarat.

In 1909, after boundary agreements with British-occupied Malaya, Satun was officially incorporated into Siam (now Thailand) as a fourth-class city under the administration of the Monthon Phuket region. Following the 1932 transition to a constitutional monarchy, Satun was formally recognized as a province of Thailand.

The name "Satun" is derived from the Malay word "Setoi," meaning "santol" (a fruit commonly found in the area). The provincial emblem, featuring Phra Samut Thewa (the deity of the sea), reflects this connection, with Satun sometimes referred to as "The City of the Sea God."

Key Developments in Satun’s Administrative Structure

Initially, Satun’s administration consisted of two districts: Mambang and Thung Wa, along with a sub-district, Langu. In 1939, Mambang was renamed Mueang Satun District, while Thung Wa continued to serve as a major trading center known for its pepper exports, which attracted foreign traders. As Thung Wa's prominence declined by the 1910s, many residents and traders moved to Langu, leading to its rapid development. By 1930, Langu was elevated to a full district, while Thung Wa was temporarily downgraded, only to regain full district status in 1973.

Today, Satun comprises seven districts: Mueang Satun, Langu, Khuan Kalong, Thung Wa, Khuan Don, Tha Phae, and Manang.